Ladies and girls,

I just receive a 3UG4 ARC9 from the evil empire yesterday for a test drive. I am going to post my reviews today and tomorrow. Here it goes.

1 initial impression:
Damn, there are a lot of hearts on the racquet. I tried to count and I just lost count. Also, damn, HOT pink. Not light or regular pink, but "Look at me" hot pink. From the guy point, I would not like to be seen using it. It def looks good with a young girl. High quality feel as usual from high end YY.
2 swing test
After I string her with lavender BG85 (I feel it is the only color that can match up with the hot pink. My wife hates that combo and say just give her old NS8000 back), I swing it and find it very even balanced. It is strung at 22.5x25lb. I put it through pencil test, the balance point is almost identical to Cab30ms. Both are even balanced as it said on the shaft. I swing it and feel if I close my eyes, I will not be able to tell if it is Cab30 or ARC9. The new leather feel grip feels "almost" like the real soft leather (not like the older leather grip which has harder feel). Very comfy indeed. I also saw the clear poly thing on the cone for dampening and griping. It feels good, however, it remain to be seen when it plays, what kind of feeling it takes away.
Once interesting observation, although the ARC9 is strung at 22.5x25 lb vs Cab30ms is at 22X24, it "sound" softer than Cab30ms. I am wondering if it is due to the "light" carbon which I think it is marketing gimmick. There might be a difference after all.

I will post more review tomorrow after I have chance to use it on the court.

PS: If Cab30ms is a classic beauty, ARC9 is a jail bait... Also, no guys with right mind will be seen with this racquet...

Just want to add, there are several new anti cloning/faking technologies on the new ARC9. For example, the spec (3UG4) is being laser engraved. Also the clear poly cover on the cone. The hearts on the cone.

Dear Mod,

HaoFung started a thread about the same subject right before I posted mine. Can you merge my thread with the other one.
Thanks!

SH

I posted mine @ 09-27-2008, 05:47 PM
I guess u were writing ur review in the meantime? ^^

Quote: The hearts on the cone. WTH!!!!

I posted mine @ 09-27-2008, 05:47 PM
I guess u were writing ur review in the meantime? ^^

Quote: The hearts on the cone. WTH!!!!
If you have a chance to see one yourself, there are 5 hearts on each side next to the YONEX on the cone. They are not just pink dots.

If you have a chance to see one yourself, there are 5 hearts on each side next to the YONEX on the cone. They are not just pink dots.i wouldn't treat haofeng thread's a arcs9 review thread, it has no review at all

If you have a chance to see one yourself, there are 5 hearts on each side next to the YONEX on the cone. They are not just pink dots.

0_0 i think i'll lower the qty of my order...

but i planned on rolling the overgrip above cone to hide all pinkness ^^

Also, no guys with right mind will be seen with this racquet...


hahahahahahahaa :D i agree with this, you're very funny :p But even my wife hate saber10 color scheme, she think at900t or saber10 more cool :D

hahahahahahahaa :D i agree with this, you're very funny :p But even my wife hate saber10 color scheme, she think at900t or saber10 more cool :D

:p Contradiction, lol. But it's ok, we know you meant Arc 9.

^
oops i'm sorry....you're right. I mean my wife hate saber9 color :p

I think they basically replaced the arrows on the shaft of the Arc 7, 10 with hearts on the Arc 9... And I'm sure there are guys that will use the Arc 9 on the court lol... It's just a racket afterall... I was talking with somebody today and we're commenting on the Arc 9, didn't really understand why Yonex will market a racket "Specifically" for females as most of the other rackets are not gender specific. I mean if they just release a Arc 9 people will buy it anyways, but making it gender specific will deter some people from buying the racket(not me haha)... Just a thought though as I think there are more male badminton players out there and it's usually guys that are willing to spend more money on sports equipment also as the Arc 9 is one of the top of the line Yonex rackets...

The purpose of the Arc 9 is that girlfriends will make their badminton-playing boyfriends buy it for them. Whether or not the gf will use the racket to its full potential is another matter.

If Yonex had just released another racket, the impoverished boyfriends (from buying the AT900P/T and Arc9) may not have bought it. But now the gf can demand that the bf buy a $$$ racket for them too.

G: "Honey you bought 3 rackets in 6 months, now its my turn to have one"
B: "But you hardly play badminton"
G: *Sulk*
B:"Goes and buys racket"
Y: $$$$

Or am I too cynical? :P

Some of the girls were after me after they saw a person with a ruby colored racket swinging and wanted to see what it was :D

Some of the girls were after me after they saw a person with a ruby colored racket swinging and wanted to see what it was :D

ding ding ding ding, gf #5:D

Was that an Arc9 or Arc10 Matt? So maybe the Arc9 series can be used as a chick magnet by guys too. :D

Some of the girls were after me after they saw a person with a ruby colored racket swinging and wanted to see what it was :D

lol, wanted to try it out tonight but drop in was full... Girl magnet racket you say :cool:

Yes, I say said Arc9. I own 7, 9 and 10! :D

Dear Ladies and girls,

Here is the part 2 of my review.

3) Warmup time:
A couple of guys saw the racquet and took her out for a spin before I can even warm up. So you can say the new girl have been going around already...
I have no problem on the timing since ARC9 is very close to my Cab30ms in weight and balance point. Since I string it 1 lb higher than my Cab30ms, the feeling is close. However, I feel I need to put in a little force into it to get the clear distance I wanted. Side to side control is superb. I can put the shuttle in the double service area with ease. After a while, the shot feels good and I get the distance I wanted. Back court drop is very tight and goes over the net easier (but about 1" higher than Cab30 and NS9000-s). I am very impressed with the net drop. I almost feel like it is like directing a shuttle where to go.
4 Game time:
I was altering between ARC9 and Cab30ms during the game time to get a better feeling. Everything is as I expected and close to Cab30ms performance except on the clearing and smashing. Eventally I adjusted the impact spot on the ARC9 and was able to get the clear that I wanted. I would say the power is same as ARC7. I wasnt to bring up 1 additional point, if you are already used to stiff or extra stiff racquet, you might find ARC9 a little on the soft side but retaining the power. However, you will need to adjust your smash to get a better angle. Return smash is great. Very fast in defense. I like one thing the most, it is great to return a smash and dink it to a drop shot. Great in offensive clearing.
5 Overall conclusion:
It is a very good racquet from Yonex again. I don't like too many hearts on the racquet. (Yes, I am silentheart, so I do not like the heart on the racquet scream so loud) I will say Yonex did a improvement from NS9000-s and put in a lot of consideration from the lady's point of view and design a racquet good for ladies.

One last note, I already got an order for a guy already. What can I say...

what did u string it with? ^^

for a rackets made for girls i would expect clearing to be made easier as most girls lack the power for full clears... maybe u whacked too fast so the shaft didnt bend back =P

how do u compare the stiffness n balance pt compared to the arc10?

i demand more comparison to Arc7

Weight, stiffness, lenght, feel, power and control

Dear Ladies and girls,

3)One last note, I already got an order for a guy already. What can I say...
maybe he bought it for his gf/wife;)

what did u string it with? ^^

for a rackets made for girls i would expect clearing to be made easier as most girls lack the power for full clears... maybe u whacked too fast so the shaft didnt bend back =P

how do u compare the stiffness n balance pt compared to the arc10?
1) if you read my first post, you would see I use BG85 at 22.5x25lb.
2) it was fine toward the end. i also find the better contact point at the higher end.
3) i don't like arc10 that much. since i feel cab30 is closest racquet to it, i used cab30 as my example. i am sorry that some of you has never used or seen a cab racquet before. so my answer to your question is.
arc10 is much stiffer than arc9. the arc9 has a even bp just like cab30 while arc10 is head heavier.

i demand more comparison to Arc7

Weight, stiffness, lenght, feel, power and control
sorry, i will give you a more detail comparison between 7 and 9 (difference is 2) next week.

maybe he bought it for his gf/wife;)
nope, his wife do not play badminton.

One last note, I already got an order for a guy already. What can I say...
thanks grandmaster for the heads up. any further comparison to Arc7 and Arc10? :)

that guy is getting it for his gf??

Spotted Zhang Yawen using the Arc9 during yesterday's China Masters XD Finals.

Yeah I got test drive the Arc9 today. For me I was looking for a median between the 900T and the 700. And I think I've found it. I found lots of control in the racket. I liked it a lot for singles because it was very easy for me to get sharp nets and get those good smashes near the lines. I have to say that it is a bit too girly for me and I was disappointed though. I wish they could make a different color scheme because its such a great racket. Oh btw, I counted 54 hearts on it.

Yeah I got test drive the Arc9 today. For me I was looking for a median between the 900T and the 700. And I think I've found it. I found lots of control in the racket. I liked it a lot for singles because it was very easy for me to get sharp nets and get those good smashes near the lines. I have to say that it is a bit too girly for me and I was disappointed though. I wish they could make a different color scheme because its such a great racket. Oh btw, I counted 54 hearts on it.the good fakes better have 54 hearts on it too;):p

Hmm...Perhaps a good gift to a female badminton friend to initiate the second phase~ *Cue the evil laugh*

I do not see 1 heart on the racket on the online pics... how can it have 54?! -_-

I do not see 1 heart on the racket on the online pics... how can it have 54?! -_-

it's on the shaft and heads, if you have an Arc 7 or 10, on the shaft there would be these arrows on it, well replace the arrorws with hearts on the Arc 9

There should be a new Arc with broken hearts on it :p

There should be a new Arc with broken hearts on it :p

That would be the men's version for AR9C:D:D:D

this is more of a cab30ms vs as9 comparison than an as9 review _ _''

I do not see 1 heart on the racket on the online pics... how can it have 54?! -_-

Have a look at the racket in person ^.^

this is more of a cab30ms vs as9 comparison than an as9 review _ _''

AS 9 = Counterfeit.....

Per requested by some members. I am writing up this review based on the comparison of ARC7 vs ARC9 vs ARC10.
Most of you know that shaft stiffness ARC10>ARC7>ARC9. ARC10 is a smashing beast if you have proper technique and wrist snap to hit the shuttle. ARC7 is a defensive player's best weapon. ARC9 is a great racquet sitting in between ARC7 and ARC9. All 3 ARC give great side to side accuracy. However, the ARC10 give you the best smashing angle. Clearing with ARC10 need a little more effort from me. ARC7 is easy on clear but
lack in smashing power. ARC9 is great at clearing if you get under the shuttle and hit it a little front of you. Smashing is fast (not as loud of boom as ARC10)for ARC9 but the angle is higher than I like. I find all ARC lack the feeling and feed back during clearing and smash. However, if you can nail the shuttle near the top of the frame (ie 2~4 strings from the top) you get the feeling and feed back from the shot.

Please post any question you have and I will do my best to answer.

My friend just bought a ARC 9 and I just did a few shots with it. Initial impression is that it moves extremely well, much better than ARC 10. Defence is better than ARC 10 and offence ain't too bad either, probably just slightly weaker than ARC 10.

Even though both are 3U, the ARC 9 feels lighter due to a head light specs. If Yonex has the same specs but in a more "masculine" color, I will buy it !

Please post any question you have and I will do my best to answer.

Is it possible to make a comparison between ARC9 and MP88? Thanks.

Is it possible to make a comparison between ARC9 and MP88? Thanks.
Not really, the last time I used a MP88 was about 4 years ago. I really do not remember how it feels anymore except MP88 is a very user friendly racquet and ARC9 is the most user friendly racquet in YY line right now.

Geez... yes I have seen the color schemes ~.~... Sometimes ladies need a "beautiful" racket.

@issarakaya (http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/member.php?u=32177)
Well... maybe your wife isn't a "pinky girl" at all xD (Hope didn't pissed any boyz or girl with my comment down here, since it's just a joke).

@silentheart
Wow... just look like Cab30?!? Well Yonex has found a way to sell something in a higher price then xD... The anti-fake technology doesn't look promising... It will only took sometime before they found a way to make an exact clone...

If you base your racket on design then you aren't going to get far.

@silentheart
Wow... just look like Cab30?!? Well Yonex has found a way to sell something in a higher price then xD... The anti-fake technology doesn't look promising... It will only took sometime before they found a way to make an exact clone...
No, I mean plays like Cab30. Feel a little more softer and user friendly. Hope this clear it up.

Aww... yeah forgive my misread :p... I believe you've said they're different xD... But yes they're made for girls eh? Or a weak powered guys? (Since you said you're losing power? In theory that means you're too strong? CMIIW)

Was thinking of getting either ARC 9 or Armotec 900 Technique......can anyone advise??

Was thinking of getting either ARC 9 or Armotec 900 Technique......can anyone advise??

Get a Arc 9 since your name is pinko888.:D It will definitely suit you.

But seriously, if you want over-all goodness, go for Arc 9. If you a more solid feel and more boom with your smashes, go with AT900T. Beware though, they are completely different.